West Midlands MPs back Hain

West Midlands MPs today rallied behind former Government minister Peter Hain after he announced his resignation from the Cabinet.

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho, who worked under Mr Hain as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in Northern Ireland, said: "I just think its immensely sad.

See also Hain resigns from the Cabinet

"I worked with him as a PPS in the Northern Ireland office and in all his dealings there he was straight, honest and hard-working.

"I just think it is sad someone with such talent is in this position. It would appear he has made a mistake, that he was not overseeing the reporting of donations.

"Peter Hain will be a great loss to the government."

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said he has known Peter Hain for around 20 years.

Mr McFadden, who is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Cabinet Office as well as Minister for Social Exclusion and Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: "I do not believe that Peter Hain is a dishonest person.

"Obviously he had been let down by the running of his deputy leadership campaign.

"He has felt the need to stand down until this issue has been properly investigated.

"I have only been an MP for two and a half years but have known Peter Hain through the Labour Party for 20 years."

Walsall North MP David Winnick said: "I understand all the reasons why Peter decided in the circumstances to resign, it was the honourable thing to do and was the right course.

"Peter has been involved in many campaigns I have supported and he has been recognised as a competent minister.

"The lesson to be learned is to be absolutely careful when dealing with political finances."

Aldridge and Brownhills MP Richard Shepherd said: "I think he has done the right thing. But that's all I want to say on the matter."

Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris added today: "Peter Hain has been an asset to politics in the UK for 30 years and that's all I wish to say on the matter until I know more."

And Sir Patrick Cormack, Conservative MP for South Staffordshire said this afternoon: "It is always sad when somebody's political career comes to an abrupt end which ever side they are on.

"I do not for a moment think he has been guilty of anything unlawful but he has clearly been very careless and has paid a very high price."

See today's Express & Star for full reaction and analysis of Mr Hain's resignation